Anfissa HAYES
Biography
Parent, La Châtaigneraie Primary
I am originally from Kazakhstan where I got my 2 Master Degrees, in Education and in Economics. I am proud to be a comfortably mixed executive leader of multiple cultural heritages, educations and professional experiences that make me a citizen of the world.
I started my career as a budget analyst for Procter & Gamble in Kazakhstan, quickly advancing to become a Finance Director of a multi-products factory in the Ukraine and moved to Switzerland in 2007 to work for EMEA HQ of Procter & Gamble. I got married to my husband in 2010 and continued building the new progressive career levels with international companies in Switzerland: SC Johnson, Newell Brands and Unilever.
To expand my professional horizon, I joined Aspen Pharmaceutical Global HQ traveling between Mauritius and South Africa. After 3 years I returned to Switzerland where I joined Honeywell, a technological conglomerate as an EMEA CFO for gas products. As of 2024 I am a regional CFO for Dentsu, a Japanese media, creative and IT services company.
I am a very passionate mentor and career sponsor, keen to learn new technologies and keep my extensive networking live and enriching.
I am a proud mother of 2 children currently at La Châtaigneraie . Combining professional career and family responsibilities is a challenge I enjoy while traveling to > 60 countries, and finding time for my hobbies: horticulture, reading, painting, music, theatre, cooking and pottery.
What are your main motivations for becoming a Board member?
I want to become an Ecolint Governing Board Member to shape the successful present and flourishing future of the biggest non-profit educational institution in Switzerland, a school like no other.
What skills/expertise would you bring to the Governing Board?
- Governance
- Financial management and oversight
- Sustainability
- Use of technology and data as a mean to drive transformational change
- International pedagogy
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion
In light of the Ecolint Governing Board’s interest in primarily seeking individuals with skills/expertise/experience in financial management, governance, and fundraising, please share concrete examples of how your experience would be relevant, and how this could benefit Ecolint.
My 25 years of experience in developing short, mid-term and long-term business and financial strategies for different types and sizes of businesses; building and executing budgets and cash flows at varying degree of complexity; risk-evaluation and risk prevention/controls implementation will help to balance incomings & outgoings as well as optimize cash flow to improve stability of Foundation
How would you support the mission of the Foundation if you are elected to the Governing Board? Emphasising the skills/expertise that were highlighted above, and other leadership and soft skills you would bring to the Board Governing.
My experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and governance of a Board of Directors with a challenging leadership profile (Saudi-Arabian entity as a JV partner) will ensure smooth integration into Board’s operations, development of strategic plans and execution thereof with excellence. I am a trusted negotiator and can pass these skills on & use my negotiation skills for engaging with more stakeholders, both international and local. I strongly believe the best way to joint success is work hard, work together, work consistently and continuously on aligned set of objectives. My personal journey reconfirms courageous choices, while integrity and justice have been at core of all aspects of my life.
Finally, could you describe your understanding of relationships within the Governing Board and your approach to the Governing Board culture? How do you imagine the collaboration between the Board members with other stakeholders such as staff, other parents and the local community?
Board members` leadership and intra/external dynamics play a crucial role in the effective functioning of the body itself and the Foundation as a whole. It is crucial to have clear roles & responsibilities: what is the Board`s scope, what is the Director General`s scope and how to best let the DG do their job.
Effective Board leadership for me should be based on open and frequent communication, foster a culture of trust, and promote collaboration among Board members.
In the current ocean of changes and challenges – political, macroeconomic, social, societal, and technological – the Board’s processes should ensure effective and fast decision-making. A positive leadership style should be a signifier and differentiator for all Board members. This will be also instrumental for developing strong collaboration with all stakeholders: staff, alumni, parents and local communities.